Deaf Museum and Archive
The Deaf Museum and Archive in Manchester is the only museum in Britain that is specific to Deafness, Deaf communities and Deaf people.
The British Deaf History Society was established in 1993 to promote and advance the interest in the discovery, preservation and conservation of the histories of Deaf people, their communities, culture and language. In 2006, volunteers from the society set up the Deaf Museum and Archive to complement that work, and it has grown into a credible national collection of numerous artefacts, deaf artwork and paper archive collections of all kinds.
Deaf artists
The gallery hosts works by many well-known deaf artists, including Richard Crosse, Walter Geikie, Charles Shirreff and many more, plus a large painting by Thomas Davidson, on loan from the Townsend Trust, formerly the Royal School for Deaf Children in Margate, where Davidson had been a pupil.
Interesting objects
Discover machines aimed at helping Deaf people communicate, including hearing aids horns and trumpets from 19th century, a teletext television (one of only twenty sets made by Granada in 1973) and a teleprinter - an electromechanical typewriter that could be used to send and receive typed messages through a telephone line.
Amongst many ither interest objects on display are a rare early 19th century decorated pearlware mug depicting fingerspelling and an edition of British Deaf Times, Vol. 1, Issue 1 from 1903.
Located in the Manchester Deaf Centre, the Deaf Museum and Archive is free to visit, but does rely on donations for its Acquisitions Fund and holds regular open days throughout the year.
Visitor information
Address
Manchester Deaf Centre, Crawford House, Oxford Road, Manchester, Greater Manchester, M13 9GH
01925 632463
Opening times
Opening times Monday to Wednesday 10am – 3pm.
Visitor information
The more you see, the more we do.
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